Best Dog-Friendly Camping near John Day Lock and Dam, Lake Umatilla
Giles French Park Primitive Camping offers free pet-friendly sites along the Columbia River, with paved pullouts among trees. Pets must remain on-leash in the park's open spaces where tent and RV camping are permitted. Nearby Lepage Park Campground features 22 electrical hookup sites and grassy tent areas that accommodate dogs, located at the confluence of the Columbia and John Day Rivers. The park has trash receptacles scattered throughout but lacks designated pet areas. Most campers find the grassy space adequate for exercising dogs, with easy river access where pets can cool off during hot weather. Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Deschutes River State Recreation Area, and Peach Beach RV Park all welcome pets with standard leash policies, offering varied accommodation options from basic tent sites to RV hookups.
Rufus RV Park maintains separate sections for short and long-term guests with a dedicated dog-walking area and well-kept grassy spaces between sites. The park remains closed seasonally from November through March. Highway noise affects most pet-friendly sites in the region, particularly noticeable at Peach Beach where train traffic adds to nighttime disturbance. Most campgrounds provide access to water where dogs can swim, but goatheads (puncture vine) can injure paws at Lepage Park, requiring thick protective footwear for pets. The John Day River trails offer hiking opportunities, though summer heat requires early morning walks for dog comfort. Vault toilets service most primitive camping areas, while established campgrounds like Memaloose State Park provide showers and better amenities for longer stays with pets.
